Protocol for a randomized and a non-randomized controlled trial testing Daily Growth: a personalised 'ecological momentary intervention' parenting app for parents and carers of children aged 2-5 years.

Journal: BMC psychology
Published Date: Jul 1, 2025

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Children's ability to regulate their emotions is a critical protective factor for early mental health and development and is strongly influenced by parenting. Parenting programs can improve these outcomes for children, however, most families, particularly those from diverse or disadvantaged backgrounds, never receive evidence-based support. There is a pressing need for parenting programs that are widely accessible and meaningfully tailored to individual needs and real-time parenting challenges to enhance parent engagement. This protocol outlines the design of two staged trials testing Daily Growth, a universal parenting app for parents/carers of children 2-5 years. The first trial will evaluate the app's effectiveness as implemented in a real-world community-based trial, while the second will develop and test a machine learning system for personalising support based on Trial 1 data.

Authors

  • Elizabeth M Westrupp
    School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia. elizabeth.westrupp@deakin.edu.au.
  • Maria Bates
    School of Communication & Creative Arts, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
  • Kelsie J Bufton
    School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
  • Tomer B Berkowitz
    School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
  • Melody Popple
    School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
  • Gabriella L King
    School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
  • Sara Jones
    Office of Data Science and Emerging Technologies, NIAID, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA.
  • Jem Stone
    Wayapa Wuurrk, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Joost J C Funke Kupper
    Applied Artificial Intelligence Initiative, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
  • John W Toumbourou
    School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
  • Chandan Karmakar
    Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
  • Sophie S Havighurst
    Mindful, Centre for Training and Research in Developmental Health, Travancore, Australia.
  • Christiane E Kehoe
    Mindful, Centre for Training and Research in Developmental Health, Travancore, Australia.
  • Maia Angelova
    Data to Intelligence Research Centre, School of Information Technology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
  • Melissa O'Shea
    School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
  • Leslie Tarrant
    Wayapa Wuurrk, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Lisa S Olive
    School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
  • Subhadra Evans
    School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
  • Stefanie Ewald
    School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
  • Julia M Mikocka
    School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
  • Keri Little
    School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
  • Kylie D Hesketh
    Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
  • Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz
    School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

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